About Ficus exasperata Vahl
Ficus exasperata Vahl, commonly called the sandpaper tree, is a small to medium-sized tree belonging to the banyan group of figs. It reaches a mature height of 20 to 30 metres (66 to 98 ft). The trunk grows aerial and buttressing roots to anchor the tree in the soil and support its heavy branches. Its leaves are arranged in an almost alternate, nearly distichous pattern that is rarely almost opposite; leaf blades are simple, ranging in shape from ovate to elliptical or obovate. The leaf base ranges from acute to obtuse, the leaf apex is shortly acuminate, acute, or obtuse, and the leaf margin ranges from toothed to entire. The tree produces unisexual flowers that are pink, purplish, or yellow, and turn orange or red when mature.
